The Restoration

Sobered and humbled by the grandeur of the Restoration and all that it brings to us, there should be times when you and I leave tears on our pillows out of gratitude for what God has given us.
(Neal A. Maxwell, "The Wondrous Restoration," Ensign, Apr. 2003, 30)

Song:
"Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (Hymns, 26.)

Scripture:
D&C 124:1

Quote:

Sobered and humbled by the grandeur of the Restoration and all that it brings to us, there should be times when you and I leave tears on our pillows out of gratitude for what God has given us.
(Neal A. Maxwell, "The Wondrous Restoration," Ensign, Apr. 2003, 30)

Lesson:

Write each of the following scripture references on a slip of paper and place them in a jar: 1 Nephi 14:7; 1 Nephi 22:8; 3 Nephi 21:9; D&C 6:1; D&C 11:1; D&C 12:1.

Ask family members to draw slips of paper from the jar until it is empty. Have each person read aloud his or her scripture verses. Ask:

" What phrase is found in all of these verses? ("Marvelous work." )

" What "great and marvelous work" do you think is being foretold in these verses?

(Share the following quotation from President Howard W. Hunter:

"This church, . . . that had been prophesied to be a latter-day marvelous work and a wonder, has come forth from the most humble of beginnings." [Ensign, May 1991, 63.])

" Which of these prophecies is the oldest?

(1 Nephi 14:7, about 600 B.C.)

" How does it feel to be a member of a Church that was prophesied to come forth thousands of years ago?

" What do you think the Lord expects of us because we have been given such a wonderful blessing?

Play "Graphic Evolution" to illustrate the need for a prophet to restore the church after centuries of confusion and darkness.

1. Write the title of a book, movie, or song at the top of a long sheet of paper. Pass the paper to the next person.

2. The next person draws a picture depicting the title as best he can, then folds over the title so it can't be seen. The paper is handed to the next person.

3. The next person looks at the drawing and writes below the picture what he thinks the title is. He folds over the picture so only the last title shows.

4. This process of guessing the title from the last picture or drawing a picture from the last title continues until everyone has had a turn.

5. Read aloud the last title and the original title. Unfold the paper so everyone can see the graphic evolution.

6. You could also have everyone start a separate paper with a title and then trade papers until each person has written or drawn on each paper.
(George and Jeane Chipman, Games! Games! Games! , [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1983], p. 20.)